If you create a space in your unfinished basement based on what you wanted and your hubby collected, is that still considered a man cave? A nest? Hmm. What a quandary.

The Pinnacle. I had a mission this summer: to create a room entirely out of pallets, accented by other reclaimed wood and recycled materials. For years, I collected other peoples’ cast offs: an 8 foot bathroom mirror, an old fish tank stand, bar stools, vintage shutters, a handmade headboard that was our groomsman’s wedding gift – while Chris collected pint glasses and rare beers from road trips – all with the goal of incorporating it all in this room. And when I say all, I mean ALL.

A few friends and family members helped frame the wall, drywall and do the electric. But patience is something I struggle with, and I wanted this room done in time for a fundraiser we throw yearly. So I got to work instead of doing the smart thing (asking or waiting for help to lift the heavy things) once Chris brought the pallets downstairs.

The cedar wall at the bottom of the stairs is made from cedar plank scraps. My friend’s uncle had leftover pieces that he gave me. Another friend’s mom gave me the maps. I cut the one and mounted the pieces on five boards with a small mirror behind it to give it more dimension.

To maximize storage and sitting space, a pallet daybed was made for a single mattress we had laying around.

The barn shutters hide a secret room, and the wall lattice was once on our kitchen ceiling. One shutter opens to reveal my paint closet:

Using whole pallets makes natural shelving:

When coming up with a name for our basement hideaway, we had been talking a lot about my Grammy’s basement, which we had never seen but heard many stories about. My grandpa had used a split rail piece and an old carriage for seats. We were told these stories while reminiscing with Grammy at her new home in the Pinnacle building, six stories up, overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Her memory was slipping, but she’d never fail to remember the details of her basement, or the lyrics to the Frank Sinatra songs blaring from her old stereo and out the sliding doors to where we sat on the balcony.

The Pinnacle was the perfect name for our finished room. The irony of it being the lowest point of the house isn’t lost on us. The Pinnacle – the highest or culminating point, the peak…in our basement.

As the only house with a basement in our neighborhood, we now have a place to all congregate during tornado warnings. (Earthquakes + glass? Nah. It’s a good thing we don’t get any strong ones here.) We have loved entertaining there, even without storms. Grammy passed away a little over a year ago, but we can’t help but smile and think of her when we hang out in The Pinnacle, while Old Blue Eyes croons in the background.

You too can make a pallet room! I honestly didn’t know how all of these elements would work until I started the project. Then each piece fit together like a puzzle.

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I am happy to offer free one-hour consultations if you’d like ideas to design a reclaimed wood room of your own. (Think of your very own life-size Pinterest board!) I am also available for hire to help you create and complete your room or event space. Just shoot me an email!

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About Mel

My name is Mel, and I split my time living, working and playing in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern Vermont. I'm a reclaimed wood artist who loves to continually find ways to repurpose wood and give it new life. "Nature Calls: Reclaimed Wood Designs" is my business dedicated to doing that! Thanks for stopping by!